Ethan Temple Church Member Receives Congressional Award

Story by Gene Singleton

In a surprise visit to Ethan Temple church in Dayton Ohio, U.S. Rep. Michael Turner of Ohio visited the church to present the Congressional Community Service Award to longtime member Don G. Black. The award included an American flag that had flown on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Black has been an active church member since his youth, and has had a long and distinguished career in business and community service. His background in public relations, photography and as founder and publisher of Dayton’s longest published African-American newspaper, the Dayton Weekly News, is well documented.

He has also received numerous awards and citations from many other local, regional and national organizations and groups. Aside from being a newspaper publisher and editor, he is host of a weekly television talk show, News From A Different View, shown on local public television.

Black is married to Glenda and they have two adult children, Shronda Smith of Atlanta, Ga., and Donerik Black of Dayton. They have two grandchildren, Taylor Black and Carlos Karrington Smith.

William Cox, Allegheny West Conference president, gave the sermon during the service.